DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to lead the inauguration of the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) Cancer Institute on May 23, marking a significant improvement of the Ilocos Region’s healthcare services.
The event underscores the national government’s commitment to accessible and high-quality cancer care under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Program.
The Cancer Institute is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and technologies, including a 128-slice CT scan, 1.5 Tesla MRI, linear accelerator, brachytherapy, radiotherapy, and mammography.
Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the institute aims to become Northern Luzon’s hub for advanced diagnostics and treatment.
It offers a full range of services such as pediatric oncology and hematology, medical and radiation oncology, gynecologic and surgical oncology, and palliative care.
The institute will also feature a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board—a collaborative approach where specialists from various fields jointly design the most effective and personalized treatment plans.
According to Doctor Joseph Roland Mejia, center chief of R1MC, over 59,000 patients have been served since the institute’s soft opening.
President Marcos recently signed Republic Act No. 12203, increasing the hospital’s bed capacity from 600 to 1,500—allowing R1MC to accommodate more patients in the coming years.
The inauguration of the Cancer Institute is seen as a milestone not only for Pangasinan and Northern Luzon b residents but for the entire country, as it brings world-class cancer care closer to more Filipinos. (CCMT/EMSA, PIA Pangasinan)
